OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impact of COVID-19 symptoms on overall patient health-related quality of life outcome among adults currently experiencing COVID-19.

METHODS: Data on 4,706 US adults currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms were analyzed from the 2022 National Health and Wellness Survey. Analysis included 26 symptoms of COVID asked in the survey, as well as duration of each symptom in weeks. Patient health-related quality of life at the time of the survey was measured by the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 Questionnaire. Specifically, Physical Health Composite (PHC) score and the Mental Health Composite (MHC) score were outcomes of interest. Correlation tests were done to evaluate which symptoms or duration of symptoms were highly correlated with lower MHC and PHC scores. XGBoost regression model will be run as the next step to select top important features.

RESULTS: Mean PHC and MHC scores were 37.78 and 36.11, respectively. Changes in color of skin/lips/nails was most strongly correlated with lower PHC scores, followed by persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and pink eye (Spearman rho = -0.19, -0.14, -0.12, respectively; all p<0.001). Anxiety/depression was most strongly correlated with lower MHC scores, followed by mood changes, and inability to wake or stay awake (Spearman rho = -0.20, -0.14, -0.11, respectively; p<0.001). However, duration of symptoms experienced were found to have stronger correlations with outcomes. Duration of pink eye, sore throat, and fever or chills were most strongly correlated with lower PHC scores (Pearson rho = -0.47, -0.46, and -0.39; all p<0.001) as well as lower MHC scores (Pearson rho = -0.26, -0.34, -0.30; all p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Duration of COVID-19 symptoms experienced were found to have stronger correlations with PHC and MHC scores compared to the type of symptoms experienced. Duration of pink eye, sore throat and fever or chills were most strongly correlated with lower health outcomes.